The ES-3 is a Eurorack format module which converts eight channels of ADAT Lightpipe input to DC coupled outputs on 3.5mm jacks, for the ultimate convenience in connection of a DAW directly to analogue synthesizers.

The outputs can be used as control voltages (CVs), for example with software such as Expert Sleepers Silent Way, and can also be used as audio outputs at high, modular synth-compatible levels.

With the ES-3, a single optical cable is all that is need to bring direct CV control from your DAW right into the heart of a modular system.

The front panel is drilled for both Doepfer and Analogue Systems mounting holes (using a 'slot' rather than a single round hole). The power connector is a Doepfer standard 16 way IDC, with -12V furthest from the top of the board.

From January 2012, ES-3s are shipping marked "ES-3 mk2". These units have an identical specification to the orignal ES-3, but also include a couple of expansion headers. The first expansion module to make use of these will be the ES-5, expected mid March 2012.

96kHz compatibility

The ES-3 produces 8 outputs as normal when the ADAT interface is operated at 44.1/48kHz. In double speed mode (88.2/96kHz), the ES-3 outputs 4 channels, duplicated across pairs of outputs (ES-3 outputs 1/2 carry ADAT channel 1, outputs 3/4 carry ADAT channel 2 etc.).However, users of Silent Way can take advantage of the Silent Way SMUX plug-in to interleave CVs on the 96kHz stream, restoring the number of usable CV outputs to 8.

The ES-3 is now at mk3. It is functionally equivalent to the ES-3 mk2, but with improvements.